The Ventura College women’s basketball team has been a dynasty of the ages for community college sports.
Last week’s victory over Santa Barbara City College locked up their 20th consecutive Western State Conference championship, and gave people a compelling reason to believe winning is all the Pirates know.
On Sophomore Night, the Pirates out-hustled, overpowered and outplayed the Oxnard College Condors in every facet of the game of basketball in a 78-49 victory Saturday night at the Ventura Athletic Center.
This year’s sophomore class joined only three other sophomore classes, the ’96, ’97 and ’98 classes, who had three losses or fewer.
As for Coach Mircetic, he is simply grateful to be participating in his true passion: coaching.
“I am one of the luckiest guys ever to coach,” he said. “I have been surrounded by great personalities, great families and a great school.”
The personalities he is referring too were this year’s sophomore class, which included guards Erika Ward, Brenda Van Someren and Amanda Padilla, center Chanelle Brennan, and forwards Lacey Escamilla and Kris King, have combined for an astonishing 64-2 record over the past two seasons.
Brennan led the Pirates (29-1, 12-0 WSC) on the night with 23 points, while Padilla and King followed with 12 points to help the Pirates pound on the weaker Condors (14-11, 5-7).
Ward felt the team’s cohesiveness over the past two seasons has contributed to the 63-2 sophomore class campaign.
“I think since last year we’ve had great chemistry,” Ward said.
Ward also believed the success they have had over the past two years has been something to be proud of, and that tonight’s victory should help motivate the Pirates to keep playing well into the playoffs.
“I think it’s something great we achieved [20th WSC championship], and I just hope we can continue that success in the playoffs.”
The Pirates never trailed the Condors, and used a well-executed fast-paced offense to collectively beat up on a helpless Condors’ team.
The Pirates led 40-20 at halftime, and never looked back.
Brennan is still in disbelief that this was the sophomores’ final home game.
“Today it didn’t seem like our last home game for sophomores,” she said. “It seemed like a regular home game for us.”
At 29-1, the Pirates are the number one team in the state, and a sure lock for a number one seed in this year’s Southern California Playoffs.
Win or lose, Coach Mircetic believes his team should value the season they have had.
“Whatever happens, it won’t take away from the season,” he said. “It could only add to it.”
The Pirates will host either Santa Monica City College or Cuesta College, who play a Regional play-in game Wednesday night.
The winner will take on the Pirates in the Regional Quarterfinals Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Ventura Athletic Center.
